- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Mineral; mined in China and elsewhere
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Mineral · № 794
Stalactitum (calciumcarbonaat)
Mineral · Asia
Stalactite (e guan shi)
Stalactitum (calciumcarbonaat)
Traditionally attributed effects: makes lung energy descend in asthma and chronic bronchitis and promotes milk flow.
Safety notes
Can make the stomach qi stagnate; not with wheezing with blood. Dripstone from caves is protected: do not collect it yourself. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Ground mineral, pre-boiled for a long time. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'tonics for kidney yang'. Stalactite (zhong ru shi) from limestone caves was powdered as a remedy for kidney yang and the lungs and to promote milk production. It is calcium carbonate.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, warm
- Meridians
- lung
Attributed effects
For asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema and for too little breast milk.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 9–30 g a day, boiled first for at least 30 minutes. Just as a stalactite grows downwards, according to the book the remedy makes the energy of the lungs descend.
Combinations
- With apricot kernel, walnut, ban xia and dried ginger for cough and emphysema
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen